After I dropped out from KFUPM, things didn’t really work out as I thought they would. My parents didn’t like my situation, neither did I, and that’s when I decided to come to Lebanon. It was in Ramadan 1423 (I think November 2002). I didn’t have many choices back then but I was, in a way, relieved.

I applied for spring term at the Lebanese American University (LAU) a week, before the deadline and I came to Beirut with my best buddy (Eybo) on the 23^rd of January 2003. He came with me on his vacation, and threw me a surprise birthday party the next day. It was one of days I will never forget. Not in a very amazing way nor a bad way, but this day is unforgettable. Although it was a vacation for him, for me it was an edge of life. I was waiting for my acceptance at the university which will turn my life all around.

To be honest, somewhere deep inside, I didn’t want to get accepted. The fact that I really loved the city the moment we landed does not change the truth about my fear of change. We arrived on a Thursday night, and I got my acceptance letter the next Monday. Our stay in Beirut extended two extra days to 7 days instead of 5. After that, I went back home for 13 days to pack up and get done with some official paper works.

On the 13^th of February 2003 I was sleeping on my bed, in my room, at the LAU dorms. I don’t know why I came that early but to tell you the truth I was freaked out. The first day of school was on the 17^th. I spent the day trying to register and fix my schedule.

During the first month I wasn’t actually homesick but I was facing a bad time. I only knew few people and we weren’t that close. Not only that, but I was in a denial mood were I didn’t want to make any new friends. It’s almost the same now, except that I have friends.

Later on, things stared to change. Tanks for Eybo, I met this wonderful girl (Dina). As my memory serves me, she was my first friend here in Lebanon. We became close friends in apparently short time. I let my instinct trust me with her because she was a great, sweet, trustable person. Good people are hard to find, and she is one of them.

After a while, I ran into one of the guys I knew back home. He wasn’t one of my friends but I knew him. It was a shocking incident for both of us and what made it weirder is that he came with Bader.

Bader Jawad was one of my very old friends. He was one of our group when I was in 8^th grade. He lived in the States for three years but after the 911 shit he came to Lebanon. I knew he was moving to Egypt that’s why I didn’t expect seeing him here. We were both happy to meet here especially that it’s our first time here and we both applied at the same time. He applied at AUB and I’m in LAU.

Bader knew some people and introduced me to them. One of them named “Hasan Fakih”. He was
a good guy from the south. He took us for cruise to his village in the south. It’s funny to call it a cruise! Because it was a long drive! But let’s face it, I’m Saudi! All we do is driving long distances!

I was amused by the sites in the south to the instant that I wanted to own a place there! Not mentioning that southern people are the best around here! No offence to all but I said that out of my poor experience!

Now I moved into another stage. I started to meet people in the university other than the few I knew. I met (Lena) in Saudi a year ago and she introduced me to her group, but at that time we weren’t close.

One day I was watching TV at my room with Bader and the door was open. That’s when I heard someone shouting my name across the corridor. I was like, ok! Who the hell is that! No body knows me around here! So I shouted back YES! It was (Emad) a tall guy that I used to see. He was hanging with (Abdullah) “ O kano y7esho Feyye” they were like “Hey, There’s a Saudi Guy here and his name is Bayat! WHAT kind of names is that!!” So they shouted my name to pick up a response because they didn’t believe it!

I went to the room and introduced myself and Bader. Now if that sounded ironic you should know about the first time me and Abdullah talked. The first time I saw Abdullah was in a class. He was taking the same Arabic course. And when I saw him, I was like “NO, not another Saudi guy! Enough of them!” so I didn’t really talk to him. And one night, while we were trying to sleep, there was a loud noise outside. A guy left his TV on and the volume was really high that he woke us all up. I went knocking on his door and Abdullah came along. I was sleepy and disturbed that I don’t remember what I said to him but he thought I was Lebanese!! And started talking with me in an accent! Then we both went to our rooms!!

Talking about Abdullah, he is one of the greatest guys and one of the American refugees! I mean Saudis who got kicked out of the United States of America after the 911 incident. Words cannot help me describe that guy but I can say that he is one of the few people that I wish I could hold on to until I die. What a great friend he is. Funny, cool, smart, faithful, interesting, and kind.

On the other hand, I don’t have much to say about Emad except that he has lots of centimeters or actually meters for a guy that age! If you didn’t understand that you’ll understand this: ((HE IS TALL)) and so young! He might be the youngest student in the university! I usually make fun of tall people but not here “3aib”!

Then, along came (Shaima).Sheemo is very loud girl when you first meet her, and she’ll always be your loud friend! But honestly, you can never find someone like her. She is one of a kind. With her manners, kindness, generosity, big heart, etc. you just can’t stop there. Sheemo became like a family to me. I remember the first time I saw her while I was sitting in “Irwin building” next to the ATM machine. She was talking with her friend (in a loud tone as usual!) and I was like (who’s that Saudi girl!!? “m9adga 7alha!”). I had no doubt that she was from Saudi and after a week or two; Emad (the tall guy) introduced me to her. He told her that I’m from Saudi and that’s when I was 100% sure that she’s from Riyadh. The shock came later on when I found out that she is Lebanese! I’ve always been an open minded person, but after she told me she’s from Lebanon I was like “if she is Lebanese, I’m from China!!” I’m not offending anyone by that, but her years in Riyadh sure did a great job converting her to a Saudi! LoL.

Who’s next? Hanan or may I say her royal highness. This girl is a marvel. At first sight, I didn’t actually like her, but now she is my closest friend. We had our first chat while she was sitting outside the dorms with (Wanda) and (Lama) I guess. Hanan was born and raised in Khobar, and when she knew that I’m Saudi she couldn’t stand NOT to hit me with all her questions! After getting closer, we was wondering “why didn’t we meet before?” because there are some people that we both know but still we didn’t know each other. That does not matter now. We don’t need history, we make our own.

As I said before, Hanan is a wonder. I can’t describe her in words, still I have to say that she has a pure sweet big heart but don’t try to mess with her, she will kill you with just a look!

We had the best shella! Me, Abdullah, Hanan, Shaima and Nada. Oh, talking about Nada, I don’t actually remember the first time we met, but she was Abdullah’s friend and that’s how we became close. To conclude all this; I can only say that people do not get younger and time does not go back. We have to live our lives day by day and enjoy the moment. Soon enough, and without knowing it, these moments will only be memories. So let it be good memories.

 I apologize for all my friends that I haven’t mentioned or talked enough about. Lena, Talar, Reem, Kareem, Feras, Zahra’a, Arij, Wanda, Lama, Ali, Ahmad H., Ahmad T., … etc. I am a bad writer if you’ve noticed, but I can only say on thing. I write my memories on a rock and keep it by my heart. Those moments we had, no matter how short they were, will always mean something to me.